The company that faces allegations of funneling about $490 million to bribe doctors and health officials in the country to push sales of its products has said that Mr Mark Reilly is assisting anti-bribery authorities in China.

The company's former head of operations in China has reportedly been requested to remain in the country while the investigations proceed and has agreed to do so without hesitation.

GSK and the British Embassy in Beijing have however clarified that Mr Mark Reilly has not been detained by Chinese authorities. "We are in regular contact with him and are providing consular assistance," an embassy spokesperson said in a report.

GSK said in a statement that Mr Reilly would continue to help lead the company's response to the bribery investigation. "Mark is working closely with the Chinese authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and voluntarily returned to China to help them. Several weeks ago he met with the Chinese authorities in Changsha to provide them with information and assistance. At no point was he detained. Mark remains in China to help further with the investigation should it be required," the company said.